"Onset, Peak, and Duration"

Let me introduce the terms 'onset,' 'peak,' and 'duration' as used in the field of pharmacology.

Onset is when the drug absorbed in the body starts to take therapeutic effect.

Peak is when the drug absorbed in the body reaches its maximum therapeutic effect.

Duration is the period that the therapeutic effect lasts after a drug is ingested or injected or applied topically.

 

For effective administration of meds, measurements of time pertaining to these three terms in effect of each medication is charted and provided for your convenience.